Jerkbaits On Table Rock -- Feathered Treble, Or Plain Treble?

[Larry Richards]

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I'm with yah RS, BPS had some Excaliber RS4's on clearance, 50% off, so I grabbed a handful, they really put the rogue to shame. Like I mentioned before, if one can find a jerkbait with the internal weight (not just rattles), that really seems to be the litmus test. Those with vs. those without. The pricier ones tend to have it (along with other perks), the rogues..............don't.

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Actualy..... The Super Rogues features a unique counter-balance weight system. The counter-balance weight shifts when the lure is cast, allowing for more distance and more accuracy when casting.

[motoman]

Actualy..... The Super Rogues features a unique counter-balance weight system. The counter-balance weight shifts when the lure is cast, allowing for more distance and more accuracy when casting.

Dang Larry! I had no idea. I'll have to look into the Super Rogue. I was unfamiliar. Glad to hear they've got the internal weight transfer setup. That was my main gripe about the suspending rogue.

[Larry Richards]

Jerkbait fishing is my favorite way to catch bass.Over the years I have probably tired every jerkbait on the market one time or the other.Here is a short take on what I have found out that works for me.I have divided the use of jerkbaits into 2 types of jerkbaits for two seasons.

LATE FALL AND WINTER

When the water gets cold and the bass have moved deep and slowed down a slow retrieve is what works best.I have found that the Super Suspending Rouges and the Megabass 110 work the best for this.I use a long sweeping jerk and then a long pause twitch twitch retrieve.Bluff banks and deep brush piles or large boulders are my favorite targets.I like to add my own tied feathered hooks to baits when using long pauses so that while the bait is setting there the feathers are moving.I dont think that feathered hooks are important on fast retrieves

EARLY SPRING

As the water warms the bass start to move shallow to the flats and points they are more willing to chase a bait and that is when Lucky Craft Pointers and Xraps come into play.I think that the Xrap and Pointers are better fished on a fast jerk jerk pause jerk jerk jerk pause retrieve than on a slow retrieve.I change out the hooks on the XRaps with Mustad triple grip 1 size larger no feather.The feathers on the XRaps only last for a few fish anyway...

EQUIPMENT

I like a 6 1/2' med action baitcasting rod 8 or 10lb fluorocarbon line for winter and 10 to 12lb mono line when the fish are shallow.

[motoman]

Awesome info Larry! Those are some great looking trebles you tie there too!

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While were on the general jerkbait talk. Here's another question. What are your thoughts on the performance/action of Megabass 110's vs. other less expensive jerks, like the McStick?

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(I know the visible detail is impressive, but since they're darn near twice the price of others, are they twice as good performers?)

[Larry Richards]

Awesome info Larry! Those are some great looking trebles you tie there too!

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While were on the general jerkbait talk. Here's another question. What are your thoughts on the performance/action of Megabass 110's vs. other less expensive jerks, like the McStick?

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(I know the visible detail is impressive, but since they're darn near twice the price of others, are they twice as good performers?)

The 110 is a productive jerkbait.The ones that I have I bought from Japan years ago for $7 to $8 apiece before the craze.For me the 110's work best on long sweeps of the rod with 2 short jerks and then a long pause.At the cost of the 110's when the ones I have are gone I will not pay the price they ask for them today.As far as the McStick,I have fished with friends using the McStick and I caught just as many fish with the Super Suspending Rogue.If I could only have 3 jerkbaits to fish with it would be

1/ Lucky Craft Pointer 100sp in Aurora Black

2/ Suspending Super Rogue chrome/black back

3/ #10 Olive XRAP

[RSBreth]

Wow, I didn't know that about you, Larry. I love winter Jerkbait fishing, too. One of my favorite things.

And yes the SUPER Rogues do have that weight transfer thing going on, but I think their "paint jobs" aren't anywhere as good as the XS4. But you get what you pay for, and the Super Rogues aren't unreasonably priced.

If the fish are hitting them, they cost as much as they need too.

[Larry Richards]

Wow, I didn't know that about you, Larry. I love winter Jerkbait fishing, too. One of my favorite things.

And yes the SUPER Rogues do have that weight transfer thing going on, but I think their "paint jobs" aren't anywhere as good as the XS4. But you get what you pay for, and the Super Rogues aren't unreasonably priced.

If the fish are hitting them, they cost as much as they need too.

As for the paint jobs on a Rogue.The first thing I do with a new Rogue is remove the hooks and give it a coat of Devcon two ton epoxy with glitter.You would be surprized how good they look..

Last winter the most productive Jerkbait for me was this old school Rogue in the old Rainbow trout color.Note the bent hooks and split rings from a striper

[RSBreth]

That's awesome. I love it when guys "doctor up" their lures, no matter how it's done. Great paint jobs.

I do use the regular Rogue whenever I'm fishing heavy timber - just flat catches fish, and if you lose them you aren't out 15 bucks like a Pointer.

[motoman]

That's awesome. I love it when guys "doctor up" their lures, no matter how it's done. Great paint jobs.

I do use the regular Rogue whenever I'm fishing heavy timber - just flat catches fish, and if you lose them you aren't out 15 bucks like a Pointer.

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Amen RS, that's a great touch on those baits Larry.

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And you also bring up a good point about fishing around timber. I do find that I'm hesitant, casting into the tight spots with the pricier lures. Kinda defeats the purpose though.

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How about the squad minnow. Has anyone experienced their weight transfer system, to stop the bait quicker than other jerkbaits? (as they claim)

[gitnby]

An old guy on our dock never would fish a jerkbait because he said "it's too much like work"!

He'd say, "If I wanted a workout, I'd go to the friggin gym"

He would take the magnum size wiggle wart and weight it down with those adhesive metal strips golfers use to weight their clubs. He'd put the strips on the belly and get it to where it was almost "neutral" at rest, with just a very slight upward rise.

He'd cast it out, reel hard to get it down and then use his reel handle to give it the jerks and pauses.

Don't know the name of the color, but it had a silver bill and body, with a bright green back and a red or orange belly.

He would use a red magic marker to color up the metal strips.

It was goofy lookin, but he caught fish like a son-of-a-gun with it.

Another one of his contraptions was a big silver/black floating Rapala. He removed the back treble and tied about 2 or 3 feet of line to the split ring with a white "doll fly" on the end. (for you younger guys, a doll fly is basically a crappie jig made with hair or feathers)

If he saw surface action, he would cast that rig into it and almost always got hooked up.

I saw him catch a Kentucky on the Rapala, with a white bass hooked up on the doll fly at the same time!

Unfotunately, he passed away last Fall, but he always believed that you "gotta show em sumpin different".